Vambrace for use with a computer controlling device

ABSTRACT

An arm support apparatus for use with a computer controlling device comprises an arm supporting layer comprising a first upper surface and an opposing first lower surface, wherein the first upper surface is conformable or substantially conformable to one or more contours of an arm of a user, a low-friction layer comprising a second upper surface coupled to the first lower surface of the arm supporting layer and an opposing second lower surface configured to contact a supporting surface upon which the user controls the computer controlling device, and one or more arm-securing structures for securing the arm of the user to the arm supporting layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C.§ 120, to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/021,071, filed onSep. 15, 2020, entitled “Ultra-Lightweight Thin Stabilizing FrictionReducing Video Game Vambrace,” which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to accessories for use with a computercontrolling device such as a mouse or a video game controller. Computerusers that are participating in activities that involve movement, suchas use of a computer keyboard, a computer mouse, or another inputdevice, can experience discomfort in their arms including, and inparticular, in the forearm and wrist. Often, this discomfort can beattributed to improper positioning of the forearm and wrist. This can bea particular problem for activities involving rapid and repetitivemovement, such as rapid typing on a keyboard or rapid mouse movement—forexample when used as input devices for video games or other softwareprograms that require rapid movement—which can cause overuse orrepetitive stress disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. It has beenwell known that repetitive use of computer mice and keyboards can leadto such repetitive-stress injuries.

Many computer games are controlled at least partially with a computermouse and/or a computer keyboard. This is especially true with so-called“first-person shooter” games, wherein a mouse is often used to controlthe aim of the player's weapon. Such control in video games oftenrequires a large range of movements, from minute and precise, torelatively large. These movements often need to be performed veryrapidly, which requires a relatively high rate of movement speed for theuser. The need for rapid movement over a wide range of motion hasfurther exacerbated problems associated with repetitive-stressdisorders, such as those associated with repeated use of computercontrolling devices such as computer mice, keyboards, and video gamecontrollers.

Thus, there is a need for devices or structures that can ameliorate oralleviate these problems associated with repetitive use of computercontrolling devices, in particular those associated with rapid andrepetitive use of computer mice, keyboards, and video game controllers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure describes a wearable accessory that can be wornon the arm of a user, e.g., on the user's forearm and/or wrist, whileoperating one or more computer controlling devices, such as one or moreof a computer mouse, a keyboard, or a video game controller. Theaccessory can be worn on the user's arm to provide for reduced frictionbetween the arm and a surface upon which rests the user's arm duringoperation of at least one of the one or more computer controllingdevices. In particular, the present disclosure describes a deformablevambrace that can be worn on the user's arm for reduced friction whenthe user is using a mouse or another computer controlling device as aninput device, such as for a video game or other computer program.

In an example, the present disclosure describes an arm support apparatusfor use with a computer controlling device, the apparatus comprising anarm supporting layer comprising a first upper surface and an opposingfirst lower surface, wherein the first upper surface is conformable orsubstantially conformable to one or more contours of an arm of a user, alow-friction layer comprising a second upper surface coupled to thefirst lower surface of the arm supporting layer and an opposing secondlower surface configured to contact a supporting surface upon which theuser controls the computer controlling device, and one or morearm-securing structures for securing the arm of the user to the armsupporting layer.

In another example, the present disclosure describes an arm supportapparatus for use with a computer controlling device, the apparatuscomprising an arm supporting layer comprising a first upper surface andan opposing first lower surface, wherein the first upper surface isconformable or substantially conformable to one or more contours of anarm of a user, a low-friction layer comprising a second upper surfacecoupled to the first lower surface of the arm supporting layer and anopposing second lower surface configured to contact a supporting surfaceupon which the user controls the computer controlling device, whereinthe arm supporting layer and the low-friction layer are deformable; andone or more arm-securing structures for securing the arm of the user tothe arm supporting layer.

This summary is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of thepresent disclosure. It is not intended to provide an exclusive orexhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description isincluded to provide further information about the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the example vambrace while being worn onthe arm of a user who is using a computer controlling device, such as acomputer mouse.

FIG. 2 is side view of the example vambrace of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example vambrace of FIGS. 1 and 2 whilebeing worn on the user's arm.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an alternative example vambrace similar tothe example vambrace of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the alternative example vambrace of FIG. 4while being worn on the user's arm.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the example vambrace of FIGS. 2 and3 while being worn on the user's arm before tightening an arm securingstructure to secure the vambrace to the user's arm, taken along line 6-6in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative example vambrace ofFIGS. 4 and 5 while being worn on the user's arm after tightening thearm securing structure to relatively tightly secure the vambrace to theuser's arm, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes a friction-reducingvambrace for use with a computer controlling device-such as a computermouse, a keyboard, or a video game controller. In particular, thepresent disclosure describes a deformable (e.g., bendable, moldable,and/or conformable) vambrace that can be worn by a user on his or herarm, e.g., on the forearm and/or wrist, to reduce friction with asupporting surface (such as a desk top or table top) during use of thecomputer controller device. In an example, the deformable vambrace isformed from lightweight materials so that it does not substantiallycontribute to the apparent weight on the user's arm during use of thecomputer controlling device. In particular, the present disclosuredescribes a friction-reducing vambrace that reduces friction between theuser's arm and the supporting surface in order to improve the user'sexperience and performance while using a computer mouse as an inputdevice for a computer program that requires relatively rapid movement ofthe computer mouse, such as a video game.

The present disclosure includes references to the accompanying drawings,which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by wayof illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as“examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled inthe art to practice the invention. The example embodiments may becombined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logicalchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the disclosed subject matter will be described inconjunction with the enumerated claims, it will be understood that theexemplified subject matter is not intended to limit the claims to thedisclosed subject matter. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of thepresent invention is defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedcan include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

Values expressed in a range format should be interpreted in a flexiblemanner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited asthe limits of the range, but also to include all the individualnumerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if eachnumerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, aconcentration range of “about 0.1% to about 5%” should be interpreted toinclude not only the explicitly recited concentration of about 0.1 wt. %to about 5 wt. %, but also the individual concentrations (e.g., 1%, 2%,3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.1% to 0.5%, 1.1% to 2.2%, and3.3% to 4.4%) within the indicated range. The statement “about X to Y”has the same meaning as “about X to about Y,” unless indicatedotherwise. Likewise, the statement “about X, Y, or about Z” has the samemeaning as “about X, about Y, or about Z,” unless indicated otherwise.

In this document, the terms “a,” “an,” or “the” are used to include oneor more than one unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term“or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or” unless otherwise indicated.Unless indicated otherwise, the statement “at least one of” whenreferring to a listed group is used to mean one or any combination oftwo or more of the members of the group. For example, the statement “atleast one of A, B, and C” can have the same meaning as “A; B; C; A andB; A and C; B and C; or A, B, and C,” or the statement “at least one ofD, E, F, and G” can have the same meaning as “D; E; F; G; D and E; D andF; D and G; E and F; E and G; F and G; D, E, and F; D, E, and G; D, F,and G; E, F, and G; or D, E, F, and G.” A comma can be used as adelimiter or digit group separator to the left or right of a decimalmark, for example, “0.000.1″” is equivalent to “0.0001.”

The term “about” as used herein can allow for a degree of variability ina value or range, for example, within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, within0.5%, within 0.1%, within 0.05%, within 0.01%, within 0.005%, or within0.001% of a stated value or of a stated limit of a range, and includesthe exact stated value or range.

The term “substantially” as used herein refers to a majority of, ormostly, such as at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%,98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9%, 99.99%, or at least about 99.999% or more, or100%.

In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyemployed herein, and not otherwise defined, is for the purpose ofdescription only and not of limitation. Furthermore, all publications,patents, and patent documents referred to in this document areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as thoughindividually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistentusages between this document and those documents so incorporated byreference, the usage in the incorporated reference should be consideredsupplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilableinconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

FIGS. 1-7 shows various views of an example arm support apparatus 10 forreducing friction between an arm 1 of a user 2 and a supporting surface(such as the top surface of a desk or table, not shown) during use of acomputer controlling device. As used herein, the term “computercontrolling device” refers to any device that is used to interact with acomputer for the purposes of controlling some aspect of operation of thecomputer. In particular, a “computer controlling device,” as used in thepresent disclosure, refers to a peripheral device that is used for thepurpose of inputting information or commands to the computer duringoperation of a computer program, such that the computer controllingdevice can also be referred to as a “computer input device” or simply an“input device.”

Examples of computer controlling devices with which the example armsupport apparatus 10 can be used include, but are not limited to: acomputer mouse (hereinafter referred to simply as a “mouse” for the sakeof brevity), a computer keyboard (hereinafter referred to as a“keyboard”); and a hand-held video game controller (hereinafter referredto as a “game controller”).

The arm support apparatus 10 of the present disclosure can beparticularly beneficial during use with a mouse 8 (as shown in FIG. 1)because, as noted above, some programs can require a wide range ofmovements—e.g., from small, precise movements to large, rapidmovements—and therefore the remainder of the present disclosure willdescribe the arm support apparatus 10 with respect to its use with amouse. Those having skill in the art will appreciate, however, that whensomething is described with respect to a mouse, the same feature can beapplicable to other computer controlling devices. In other words, theuse of the word “mouse” is the present disclosure can be thought of asshorthand for any computer controlling device and not as being limitedspecifically to a mouse.

In an example, the arm support apparatus 10 provides support to a wristor forearm, or both, of a user while using the mouse. In an example, thearm support apparatus 10 is deformable such that it can at leastpartially conform to one or more surfaces of the user's forearm orwrist, or both, so that the arm support apparatus 10 is more comfortablefor the user. In an example, the arm support apparatus 10 is configuredto be coupled to the user's arm, for example at the user's wrist and/orforearm, via one or more arm coupling structures (described in moredetail below). In particular, the arm support apparatus 10 can beconfigured to be coupled to the underside of the user's forearm.Therefore, the arm support apparatus 10 will also be referred to hereinas the “vambrace 10,” which implies a structure or apparatus that isconfigured to be applied and coupled to the underside of the wrist 4and/or forearm of the user's arm 1.

In an example, the vambrace 10 includes a low-friction structure 12 thatis configured to be in contact with the supporting surface, e.g., suchthat the low-friction structure 12 is on a bottom side 14 of thevambrace 10. The vambrace 10 can also include an arm support structure16 configured to be in contact with the user's arm 1, e.g., with theunderside of the user's arm 1, such as with the underside of the user'sforearm and/or an underside of the user's wrist, e.g., such that the armsupport structure 16 is on a top side 18 of the vambrace 10, wherein thetop side 18 opposes the bottom side 14 of the vambrace 10.

In an example, the low-friction structure 12 is a generally flat layersuch that the low-friction structure 12 will also be referred tohereinafter as the “low-friction layer 12.” In an example, thelow-friction layer 12 is made from a low-friction material, e.g., amaterial having a coefficient of friction (also referred to as “COF”)(e.g., as measured by the standardized test published as ASTM D1894 byASTM International) that is equal to or less than about 0.1, such as aCOF that is equal to or less than 0.095, equal to or less than about0.09, equal to or less than about 0.085, equal to or less than about0.08, equal to or less than about 0.075, equal to or less than about0.07, equal to or less than about 0.065, equal to or less than about0.06, equal to or less than about 0.055, equal to or less than about0.05, equal to or less than about 0.045, equal to or less than about0.04, equal to or less than about 0.035, equal to or less than about0.03, equal to or less than about 0.025, equal to or less than about0.02, equal to or less than about 0.015, or equal to or less than about0.01.

A low COF for the low-friction layer 12 can allow the user 2 to moreprecisely control movement of the user's arm 1 across the supportingsurface, for example for precision movement of a computer mouse 8, evenat rapid speeds because of the reduced friction achievable by thelow-COF material of the low-friction layer 12. The vambrace 10 can alsoprovide a more effective pivot point on the supporting surface comparedto the user's arm 1 by itself. Therefore, the low COF for thelow-friction layer 12 allows the vambrace 10 to be particularly suitablefor use in any video game that requires precision, accuracy, and speed.This is particularly useful in so-called “first person shooter games,”or “FPS games.” Examples of first person shooter games include, but arenot limited to: the CALL OF DUTY® series (e.g., Call of Duty: BlackOps—Cold War or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare; the COUNTER-STRIKE® series(e.g., Counter-Strike: Global Offensive); FORTNITE®; APEX LEGENDS®;OVERWATCH®, VALORANT®; the BATTLEFIELD® series (e.g., Battlefield V);PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS®; RUST®; or the TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX®series (e.g., Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege®), to name just a few.

In an example, the low-friction layer 12 is a generally planar piece ofa low-friction material, such as a flat or substantially flat piece of alow-friction plastic. A non-limiting example of a low-friction plasticthat is particularly suitable for use in forming the low-friction layer12 in the vambrace 10 is a fluoropolymer formed from one or morepolymerized fluorine-containing monomer units, such as those wherein amajority of the polymerized monomer units that form the polymer orcopolymer are derived from tetrafluoroethylene (also referred to hereinas “TFE”) or commonly substituted versions of TFE (e.g., the polymerhaving the IUPAC name poly(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethylene), also referredto by the trade name “TEFLON” as sold by The Chermours Co., Wilmington,Del., USA) and which will also be referred to herein as“poly(tetrafluoroethylene)” or “PTFE”). Other fluoropolymer low-frictionplastics that can form the low-friction layer 12, include, but are notlimited to: poly(vinylidene difluoride) (“PVDF”); fluorinated ethylenepropylene (“FEP”); perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (“PFA”); ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (“ETFE”); ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene(“ECTFE”).

Other plastics that may be useful in forming the low-friction layer 12include, but are not limited to: polyamide imides (“PAI”); polyimides;polyetheretherketone (“PEEK”); polyphenylene sulfide (“PPS”); polyamides(e.g., Nylon); polyoxymethylene (“POM”, also known as “acetal” or“polyacetal”); polybutylene terephthalate (“PBT”); polyphenylene sulfide(“PPS”); ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”); andpolyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) or other polyesters.

In an example, the arm support layer 16 is a generally planar piece ofmaterial, e.g., a flat or substantially flat piece of material. In anexample, the arm support layer 16 comprises a material that is soft orotherwise comfortable during prolonged use with the user's arm 1 beingin contact with the arm support layer 16. In an example, the arm supportlayer 16 comprises a soft polymer, such as ethylene vinyl acetate(“EVA”). Other materials that can be used to form the arm support layer16 include, but are not limited to: textiles (e.g., cotton fabric,polyester fabric, lycra, nylon fabric, spandex fabric, blends thereofetc.); rubberized plastics; foams; foam rubbers; and the like.

In the example shown in the figures, the arm support layer 16 and thelow-friction layer 12 are generally the same size so that both thelow-friction layer 12 and the arm support layer 16 cover substantiallythe same area of the arm 1 of the user 2. However, the presentdisclosure is not so limited. Rather, the low-friction layer 12 cancover a larger surface area of the user's arm 1 than the arm supportlayer 16 or vice versa, e.g., with the arm support layer 16 covering alarger surface area of the user's arm 1 than the low-friction layer 12.

In an example, the arm support layer 16 can be part of a structure thatextends all the way around the circumference of the user's arm 1 alongat least a portion of the length of the arm 1. In other words, in anexample, the arm support layer 16 is part of a sleeve that surrounds thecircumference of the arm 1 along at least the portion of the length ofthe arm 1. In such a case, the sleeve that includes the arm supportlayer 16 can be made from a textile material, such as a blend of cottonand spandex for a tight fitting sleeve, and one or more low-frictionstructures 12 can be coupled to the arm support layer 16 portion of thesleeve

The vambrace 10 can also include one or more coupling structures 20configured to couple the low-friction layer 12 to the arm support layer16 so that they form a single unitary structure. In an example, shown inFIGS. 2, 3, and 6, one or more of the coupling structures 20 comprisesone or more fasteners 20. In an example, one or more of the fasteners 20comprise a threaded shank 22, best seen in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 6. The threaded shank 22 can threadingly engage with the materialof the one or both of the low-friction layer 12 and the arm supportlayer 16. The fastener 20 can also include a fastener head 24 to furtherhold the low-friction layer 12 onto the arm support layer 16.

In an example, the head 24 of the fastener 20 can be configured to beflush or to protrude beyond the lower surface of the low-friction layer12 (as seen in FIG. 6). In some examples, the COF of the material of thefastener head 24 can be higher than the COF of the low-friction layer12, and therefore, in some cases the material of the fastener head 24may undesirably interfere with the rapid and/or precise movement of theuser's arm 1 for which the vambrace 10 is designed, e.g., because thefastener heads 24 may be exposed to the supporting surface duringmovement of the wearer's arm 1 (as is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6).Therefore, in an optional example shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, an alternativeversion of the vambrace 10′ can include similar fasteners 20′ thatinclude a low-friction coating 26 on the outer-facing surface of thefastener head 24′. In an example, the low-friction coating 26 can beformed from any of the same low-friction materials described above forthe low-friction layer 12, e.g., a low-friction polymer including, butnot limited to, one or more of: PTFE, PVDF, ETFE, PFA, ECTFE, PEEK, aPAI, a polyimide, a polyamide, POM, PBT, PPS, UHMWPE, or PET.

Although the figures show the example vambraces 10, 10′ as usingfasteners 20, 20′ as the coupling structures configured to couple thelow-friction layer 12 to the arm support layer 16, those having skill inthe art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited tofasteners 20 for this purpose. Rather, those having skill in the artwill understand that other structures can be used as the one or morecoupling structures including, but not limited to: one or moreadhesives; stitching; staples; pins; brads; welds; by extruding thematerial of the low-friction layer 12 onto the pre-formed structure ofthe arm support layer 16; by shaping the low-friction layer 12 and thearm support layer 16 to form an interference fit; by extruding thematerial of the arm support layer 16 onto the pre-formed structure ofthe low-friction layer 12; by coextruding the materials of thelow-friction layer 12 and the arm support layer 16 together to form thestructures of the low-friction layer 12 and the arm support layer 16;and the like.

The vambrace 10 can also include one or more structures for securing theuser's arm 1 to the top side 18 of the vambrace 10 (also referred toherein as “the one or more arm-securing structures”). In an example, theone or more arm-securing structures comprise one or more straps 28 thatare each coupled to the arm support layer 16 or to the low-frictionlayer 12, or both, at one or more locations on the vambrace 10. Eachstrap 28 can be configured to extend upward from the top side 18 of thevambrace 10 so that the strap 28 can be wrapped around the wearer's arm1 at a specified location along the arm 1. In an example, each of theone or more straps 28 can include a fabric or polymer webbing, such as apolypropylene webbing.

In an example, the vambrace 10 includes two or more straps 28, such as afirst strap 28A connected to the arm support layer 16 and/or thelow-friction layer 12 at a first location and a second strap 28Bconnected to the arm support layer 16 and/or the low-friction layer 12at a second location. In an example, the first location where the firststrap 28A is connected is at or proximate to a first end 30 of thevambrace 10 that is intended to be worn at or near the wrist 4 of theuser 2. In an example, the second location where the second strap 28B isconnected is at or proximate to a second end 32 of the vambrace 10 thatis intended to be worn somewhere along the forearm of the user dependingon the length of the user's forearm, for example somewhere proximate tothe user's elbow 6 (shown in FIG. 5).

However the straps 28 are configured and wherever they are connected, itis preferred that they be configured so that the vambrace 10 isrelatively tightly held to the user's arm 1 so that the vambrace 10 doesnot shift during use. In an example, one or more of the one or morestraps 28 can include a tightening device so that the user 2 can adjustthe tightness of the one or more straps 28 in order to set the one ormore straps 28 at a desired tightness, e.g., at a preferred diameter ofthe strap 28 around the user's arm 1 and/or at a preferred tension beingapplied by the strap 28 onto the arm 1, such that the user 2 can set thestrap 28 according to his or her preferred snugness for the particularuse that the user 2 intends.

In an example, the tightening device comprises a slider 34 for each ofthe one or more straps 28. The slider 34 can be configured to slidealong its corresponding strap 28 between a loosened position (such asthe example position shown in FIG. 6) and a tightened position (such asthe example position shown in FIG. 7) relative to the correspondingstrap 28. When the slider 34 is in the loosened position, the apparentlength of the strap 28 is longer than when the slider 34 is in thetightened position, as can be seen in a comparison of FIG. 6 (loosenedposition) and FIG. 7 (tightened position).

In an example, when in the tightened position, the tension generated bythe strap 28 is sufficient to bend one or both of the low-friction layer12 and the arm support layer 16 so that the layers 12, 16 will conformor substantially conform to the contours of the user's arm 1, asdescribed in more detail below. In another example, the one or morearm-securing structures, such as the one or more straps 28, areconfigured so that when the user puts the vambrace 10 on his or her arm1, the one or more arm-securing structures generates sufficient tensionto at least partially bend one or both of the low-friction layer 12 andthe arm support layer 16 to at least partially conform to one or morecontours of the user's arm 1 without the need of a tightening devicelike the slider 34.

In an example, the arm-securing structure can also include a fasteningstructure to fasten at least a portion of one of the one or morearm-securing structures (e.g., one of the straps 28) to anotherstructure, such as another portion of the same arm-securing structure(e.g., to the same strap 28), to another arm-securing structure (e.g.,to a different strap 28), or to another structure of the vambrace 10,such as the arm support layer 16 or the low-friction layer 12. In anexample, the fastening structure for at least one of the one or morearm-securing structure comprises a hook-and-loop fastener, such as thosesold under the VELCRO trademark (not shown).

Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the one or morearm-securing structures are not limited to one or more straps, such asthe straps 28 shown in the figures and described above. Rather, thosehaving skill in the art will appreciate that any structure or structuresthat can effectively, and releasably secure the user's arm 1 to the topside 18 of the vambrace 10 will fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, as noted above, in an example the arm supportlayer 16 can be part of a sleeve that the user 2 can wear on his or herarm 1. In such an example, the arm-securing structure is the portion ofthe sleeve that wraps around the top side of the user's arm 1, e.g.,such that the arm support layer 16 and the arm-securing structure arepart of the same structure (that is, the sleeve). Other examples ofstructures that can secure the user's arm 1 to the top side 18 of thevambrace 10 include, but are not limited to: laces, cords, rings, belts,clamps, beams, and the like.

In an example, the vambrace 10 can be configured to be deformable (e.g.,bendable or moldable) so that one or more structures of the vambrace 10can conform or substantially conform to one or more contours of theuser's arm 1 while the user is wearing the vambrace 10. As used herein,the term “contour” refers to an outer surface or combination of outersurfaces that form the three-dimensional outline of the user's arm 1. Asused herein, the term “conform” refers to one or more surfaces of thevambrace 10 generally matching, and in some examples matching orsubstantially matching, one or more contours of the user's arm 1.

The concept of the vambrace 10 being one or more of deformable,bendable, or moldable such that one or more structures of the vambrace10 conforms or substantially conforms to one or more contours of theuser's arm 1 will also be referred to herein as “deformably conforming.”As will be understood by those having skill in the art, a deformablyconforming vambrace 10 can provide for better comfort for the user,especially during long-term usage of the vambrace 10 while operating acomputer controlling device such as a computer mouse 8.

In an example, the vambrace 10 can be made to be deformably conformingby being made from materials that are bendable or otherwise deformableto a certain extent without breaking, e.g., when subjected to aspecified tension or pressure, such as by the tension applied by thestraps 28 or one or more other arm-securing structures. In an example,the materials of the low-friction layer 12 and the arm support layer 16are selected and sized so that they are sufficiently bendable so thatoverall the vambrace 10 will be deformably conforming, as discussedabove.

In an example, the vambrace 10 can be configured to deformablyconforming by being made to be very thin, e.g., so that the distancebetween one or more bottom surfaces of the user's arm 1 and thesupporting surface is as small as possible. A very thin vambrace 10 canalso make repeated use of the vambrace 10 over a long period of timemore comfortable and can provide for better precision control of thecomputer mouse 8 or another computer controlling device.

In an example, the combined thickness of the low-friction layer 12 andthe arm support layer 16 is about 10 millimeters (“mm”) or less, such as9.5 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8.5 mm or less, 7.5 mm or less, 7 mm orless, 6.5 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5.5 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 4.5 mmor less, 4 mm or less, 3.5 mm or less, 3 mm or less, 2.5 mm or less, 2mm or less, 1.5 mm or less, or 1 mm or less, or any range of thicknesseswith any of these values as the endpoints (e.g., from about 1 mm toabout 10 mm, for example from about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm, such as fromabout 3 mm to about 4 mm).

In an example, the low-friction layer 12 has a thickness of from about0.005 mm to about 1 mm, such as from about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm, forexample about 0.01 mm, about 0.015 mm, about 0.02 mm, about 0.025 mm,about 0.03 mm, about 0.035 mm, about 0.04 mm, about 0.045 mm, about 0.05mm, about 0.055 mm, about 0.06 mm, about 0.065 mm, about 0.07 mm, about0.075 mm, about 0.08 mm, about 0.085 mm, about 0.09 mm, about 0.095 mm,about 0.1 mm, about 0.105 mm, about 0.11 mm, about 0.115 mm, about 0.12mm, about 0.125 mm, about 0.13 mm, about 0.135 mm, about 0.14 mm, about0.145 mm, about 0.15 mm, about 0.155 mm, about 0.16 mm, about 0.165 mm,about 0.17 mm, about 0.175 mm, about 0.18 mm, about 0.185 mm, about 0.19mm, about 0.195 mm, about 0.2 mm, about 0.205 mm, about 0.21 mm, about0.215 mm, about 0.22 mm, about 0.225 mm, about 0.23 mm, about 0.235 mm,about 0.24 mm, about 0.245 mm, about 0.25 mm, about 0.255 mm, about 0.26mm, about 0.265 mm, about 0.27 mm, about 0.275 mm, about 0.28 mm, about0.285 mm, about 0.29 mm, about 0.295 mm, about 0.3 mm, about 0.305 mm,about 0.31 mm, about 0.315 mm, about 0.32 mm, about 0.325 mm, about 0.33mm, about 0.335 mm, about 0.34 mm, about 0.345 mm, about 0.35 mm, about0.355 mm, about 0.36 mm, about 0.365 mm, about 0.37 mm, about 0.375 mm,about 0.38 mm, about 0.385 mm, about 0.39 mm, about 0.395 mm, about 0.4mm, about 0.405 mm, about 0.41 mm, about 0.415 mm, about 0.42 mm, about0.425 mm, about 0.43 mm, about 0.435 mm, about 0.44 mm, about 0.445 mm,about 0.45 mm, about 0.455 mm, about 0.46 mm, about 0.465 mm, about 0.47mm, about 0.475 mm, about 0.48 mm, about 0.485 mm, about 0.49 mm, about0.495 mm, or about 0.5 mm.

In an example, the arm support layer 16 has a thickness of from about0.1 mm to about 7.5 mm, such as from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, forexample from about 3 mm to about 4 mm, for example about 3 mm, about3.005 mm, about 3.01 mm, about 3.015 mm, about 3.02 mm, about 3.025 mm,about 3.03 mm, about 3.035 mm, about 3.04 mm, about 3.045 mm, about 3.05mm, about 3.055 mm, about 3.06 mm, about 3.065 mm, about 3.07 mm, about3.075 mm, about 3.08 mm, about 3.085 mm, about 3.09 mm, about 3.095 mm,about 3.1 mm, about 3.105 mm, about 3.11 mm, about 3.115 mm, about 3.12mm, about 3.125 mm, about 3.13 mm, about 3.135 mm, about 3.14 mm, about3.145 mm, about 3.15 mm, about 3.155 mm, about 3.16 mm, about 3.165 mm,about 3.17 mm, about 3.175 mm, about 3.18 mm, about 3.185 mm, about 3.19mm, about 3.195 mm, about 3.2 mm, about 3.205 mm, about 3.21 mm, about3.215 mm, about 3.22 mm, about 3.225 mm, about 3.23 mm, about 3.235 mm,about 3.24 mm, about 3.245 mm, about 3.25 mm, about 3.255 mm, about 3.26mm, about 3.265 mm, about 3.27 mm, about 3.275 mm, about 3.28 mm, about3.285 mm, about 3.29 mm, about 3.295 mm, about 3.3 mm, about 3.305 mm,about 3.31 mm, about 3.315 mm, about 3.32 mm, about 3.325 mm, about 3.33mm, about 3.335 mm, about 3.34 mm, about 3.345 mm, about 3.35 mm, about3.355 mm, about 3.36 mm, about 3.365 mm, about 3.37 mm, about 3.375 mm,about 3.38 mm, about 3.385 mm, about 3.39 mm, about 3.395 mm, about 3.4mm, about 3.405 mm, about 3.41 mm, about 3.415 mm, about 3.42 mm, about3.425 mm, about 3.43 mm, about 3.435 mm, about 3.44 mm, about 3.445 mm,about 3.45 mm, about 3.455 mm, about 3.46 mm, about 3.465 mm, about 3.47mm, about 3.475 mm, about 3.48 mm, about 3.485 mm, about 3.49 mm, about3.495 mm, about 3.5 mm, about 3.505 mm, about 3.51 mm, about 3.515 mm,about 3.52 mm, about 3.525 mm, about 3.53 mm, about 3.535 mm, about 3.54mm, about 3.545 mm, about 3.55 mm, about 3.555 mm, about 3.56 mm, about3.565 mm, about 3.57 mm, about 3.575 mm, about 3.58 mm, about 3.585 mm,about 3.59 mm, about 3.595 mm, about 3.6 mm, about 3.605 mm, about 3.61mm, about 3.615 mm, about 3.62 mm, about 3.625 mm, about 3.63 mm, about3.635 mm, about 3.64 mm, about 3.645 mm, about 3.65 mm, about 3.655 mm,about 3.66 mm, about 3.665 mm, about 3.67 mm, about 3.675 mm, about 3.68mm, about 3.685 mm, about 3.69 mm, about 3.695 mm, about 3.7 mm, about3.705 mm, about 3.71 mm, about 3.715 mm, about 3.72 mm, about 3.725 mm,about 3.73 mm, about 3.735 mm, about 3.74 mm, about 3.745 mm, about 3.75mm, about 3.755 mm, about 3.76 mm, about 3.765 mm, about 3.77 mm, about3.775 mm, about 3.78 mm, about 3.785 mm, about 3.79 mm, about 3.795 mm,about 3.8 mm, about 3.805 mm, about 3.81 mm, about 3.815 mm, about 3.82mm, about 3.825 mm, about 3.83 mm, about 3.835 mm, about 3.84 mm, about3.845 mm, about 3.85 mm, about 3.855 mm, about 3.86 mm, about 3.865 mm,about 3.87 mm, about 3.875 mm, about 3.88 mm, about 3.885 mm, about 3.89mm, about 3.895 mm, about 3.9 mm, about 3.905 mm, about 3.91 mm, about3.915 mm, about 3.92 mm, about 3.925 mm, about 3.93 mm, about 3.935 mm,about 3.94 mm, about 3.945 mm, about 3.95 mm, about 3.955 mm, about 3.96mm, about 3.965 mm, about 3.97 mm, about 3.975 mm, about 3.98 mm, about3.985 mm, about 3.99 mm, about 3.995 mm, or about 4 mm.

In an example, one or more materials that form the low-friction layer 12and the arm support layer 16 are heat deformable, meaning that theybecome more deformable (and thus more able to conform to one or morecontours of the user's arm 1) as their temperature increases. In anexample, the body heat of the user's arm 1 can be sufficient to causeone or both of the low-friction layer 12 or the arm support layer 16 tobecome more deformable compared to when the user's body heat is notapplied to the vambrace 10, such that the user's own body warmth canprovide for at least a portion of the deformable conformabilitydescribed above.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. An arm support apparatus for use with a computercontrolling device, the apparatus comprising: an arm supporting layercomprising a first upper surface and an opposing first lower surface,wherein the first upper surface is conformable or substantiallyconformable to one or more contours of an arm of a user; a low-frictionlayer comprising a second upper surface coupled to the first lowersurface of the arm supporting layer and an opposing second lower surfaceconfigured to contact a supporting surface upon which the user controlsthe computer controlling device; and one or more arm-securing structuresfor securing the arm of the user to the arm supporting layer.
 2. An armsupport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the armsupporting layer and the low-friction layer are deformable.
 3. An armsupport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the low-friction layercomprises a low-friction material.
 4. An arm support apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the low-friction material comprisespolytetrafluoroehtylene.
 5. An arm support apparatus according to claim3, wherein the low-friction material comprises at least one of:poly(vinylidene difluoride); fluorinated ethylene propylene; aperfluoroalkoxy alkane; an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene; ethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene; a polyamide imide; a polyimides;polyetheretherketone; polyphenylene sulfide; a polyamide;polyoxymethylene; polybutylene terephthalate; polyphenylene sulfide;ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene; and polyethyleneterephthalate.
 6. An arm support apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe arm supporting layer comprises ethylene vinyl acetate.
 7. An armsupport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm supporting layercomprises at least one of: a textile; a rubberized plastic; a foam; or afoam rubber.
 8. An arm support apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe one or more arm-securing structures comprises one or more straps. 9.An arm support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or morearm-securing structures comprises a sleeve.
 10. An arm support apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising one or more coupling structuresto couple the low-friction layer to the arm supporting layer.
 11. An armsupport apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the one or morecoupling structures comprises one or more fasteners.
 12. An arm supportapparatus for use with a computer controlling device, the apparatuscomprising: an arm supporting layer comprising a first upper surface andan opposing first lower surface, wherein the first upper surface isconformable or substantially conformable to one or more contours of anarm of a user; a low-friction layer comprising a second upper surfacecoupled to the first lower surface of the arm supporting layer and anopposing second lower surface configured to contact a supporting surfaceupon which the user controls the computer controlling device, whereinthe arm supporting layer and the low-friction layer are deformable; andone or more arm-securing structures for securing the arm of the user tothe arm supporting layer.
 13. A wrist and arm support apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the low-friction layer comprises alow-friction material.
 14. An arm support apparatus according to claim13, wherein the low-friction material comprises polytetrafluoroehtylene.15. An arm support apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the armsupporting layer comprises ethylene vinyl acetate.
 16. An arm supportapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the one or more arm-securingstructures comprises one or more straps.
 17. An arm support apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the one or more arm-securing structurescomprises a sleeve.
 18. An arm support apparatus according to claim 12,further comprising one or more coupling structures to couple thelow-friction layer to the arm supporting layer.
 19. An arm supportapparatus according to claim 18, wherein the one or more couplingstructures comprises one or more fasteners.